Ẹni à ń torí ẹ̀ kú tí kò fi ojú ire wo’ni — Yoruba Wisdom on Unrequited Sacrifice and Ungratefulness

Last updated: January 27, 2026

Yoruba Wisdom

Ẹni à ń torí ẹ̀ kú tí kò fi ojú ire wo’ni

Literal Translation

The person for whose sake one is dying [suffering, enduring hardship, etc], who looks at the dying person with a malicious glare.

Expanded Rendering

We risk, sacrifice, or endure hardship for someone who not only fails to acknowledge our effort but actively regards our suffering with hostility, resentment, or ill intent.

The saying exposes a stark moral imbalance: devotion is met with malice rather than gratitude or recognition.

Interpretation

This proverb serves as a moral alert: blind loyalty or sacrifice is dangerous when the beneficiary harbors ill will. It interrogates the ethics of service, loyalty, and prudence, highlighting that discernment in choosing whom to endure or sacrifice for is crucial.

The wisdom is subtle but severe: enduring hardship for someone whose gaze is hostile is not noble — it is self-endangering.

Context & Cultural Meaning

In Yoruba thought, to endure hardship (kú literally “die”) for another implies communal or relational loyalty. But this saying recognizes that relationships are morally charged — devotion may be exploited, and sacrifice may be met with malice.

It is used in social teaching to caution against investing one’s life force in people who are unworthy, malicious, or indifferent to one’s suffering. It underscores the Yoruba moral principle that effort without ethical reciprocity is hazardous.

Moral Reflection

Sacrifice becomes corrosive when met with hostility rather than appreciation. This proverb reminds us to pair devotion with discernment. The value of one’s effort depends not only on discipline but on the moral character of the beneficiary.

Blindly enduring for someone malicious is folly; wise endurance respects ethical boundaries.

Application

• In relationships, do not sacrifice for those who may rejoice in your suffering.

• In leadership and mentorship, ensure loyalty is directed toward those who reciprocate trust and goodwill.

• In community life, weigh the moral character of those you support; your endurance has limits.

• In personal growth, recognize that prudence and moral discernment are part of ethical sacrifice.

Broad Theme

Discerned loyalty in the face of potential malice

Supporting Themes

• Sacrifice versus exploitation

• Blind loyalty and danger

• Moral discernment in service

• Recognizing and avoiding toxic relationships

• Ethical boundaries in devotion

Closing Reflection

To endure hardship for one who regards you with malice is to risk more than your effort — it risks your integrity, patience, and well-being.

Poignant Yoruba wisdom reminds us: True sacrifice is noble only when met with at least goodwill, if not gratitude.